MUMBAI.- AstaGuru recently concluded its ‘Collectors Choice’ Auction with an impressive turnover of INR 26,63,41,989. The auction which took place online on June 20-21, 2023, offered a collection of over 200 works, encompassing different periods of Modern Indian Art with exceptional creations by revered names M.V. Dhurandhar, Jamini Roy, Rabindranath Tagore, M. F. Husain, Akbar Padamsee, K. H. Ara, Sakti Burman, K. K. Hebbar, Bikash Bhattacharjee, Ganesh Pyne, Satish Gujaral, K.G. Subramanyan, Manu Parekh, Biren De, Thota Vaikuntam, Bhupen Khakhar, V.S. Gaitonde, and Manjit Bawa among others.
Commenting on the auction, Sunny Chandiramani, Vice President- Client Relations, AstaGuru, said, We are extremely thrilled with the success of our ‘Collectors Choice’ Auction. This validates our belief in the auction format, which allows the collectors to acquire rare and unseen gems of modern art at different price points. The combination of no reserved price and a low bidding startpoint plays a pivotal role in creating a level playing field for collectors and fostering competitive bidding during the auction. Moreover, we are extremely pleased that the auction results in a few records. It was truly a collector's paradise, where the final price of each artwork was determined solely by the enthusiasm and determination of the bidders.
Highlights From The Collectors Choice Auction
Titled ‘Prakriti,’ lot no. 113 is an illustrious example of S.H. Raza’s exploration of the ‘Bindu,’ which became an iconic element and a unifying motif of his oeuvre. Executed in 1994 with acrylic on canvas, this work also embodies the artist's renowned and groundbreaking approach to geometric abstraction. This work appeared in an auction for the first time and was acquired at INR 1,94,76,648. Two more works by Raza were among the top performers in the auction. Lot no. 204 titled ‘Bija’ was sold at INR 72,16,777. Another work by Raza, lot no. 29, titled ‘Tree’ was sold at INR 44,61,793.
A monochrome abstract landscape work by Ram Kumar, lot no. 133, titled ‘Autumn Landscape’ was acquired at INR 72,95,385. Executed Circa 1950, this oil on canvas work was created after the artist moved to Paris to study under famed artist and writer Andre Lhote.
Lot no. 95 is a work from F. N. Souza’s iconic head imagery was sold at INR 70,67,610. The mixed media on paper creation was executed in 1956 when the artist was staying in London. The work originally belonged to the collection of Ragnar Zedell, who met the artist in Stockholm in the early 1960s and became one of his earliest patrons in the city.
Another important work, lot no. 15, by revered Bengal Master Nandalal Bose was acquired at INR 64,78,525. Executed in 1941 with tempera on paper, it depicts the immortal imagery of Yashoda and Krishna churning butter.
The auction also created records for several artists including- Lancelot Ribero, Paresh Maity, C D Mistry, Dhanraj Bhagat, Kishor Gundigara, Laxman Aelay, P N Choyal, Satish Sinha, Ved Nayar, and Vinod Sharma.
One of these, lot no. 71, is oil on board work by artist Lancelot Ribeiro, who was known for his abstract landscape work. Executed in 1962, this work was sold for INR 45,92,423 and created a record for the artist.
The work by Paresh Maity, lot no. 187, also recorded a record-breaking sale. Titled ‘Blooming Summer,’ it was executed with oil and acrylic on canvas in 2008 and sold for INR 58,66,097.
Lot no. 179 by artist Krishen Khanna showcases a group of Bandwallahs through the medium of a bronze sculpture. Executed in 2016, this work appeared in an auction for the first time and was acquired at INR 48,96,987.
Lot no. 200, an untitled work by artist Anjolie Ela Menon, executed in her signature medium of oil on masonite board, was sold at INR 44,44,013. Executed in 2022, it was showcased in the exhibition titled ‘Anjolie Ela Menon: Nostalgia 2022' at Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi.
